Well I've sailed on both an Elan 333 and a J24 (but own neither) so you both are pretty close to the mark ... good Sherlock work on both your behalves I can often be found on Waimanu (Elan) and sometimes Zaphod or Ballistic (both J24). However my Laser sees the most use

Lostboy: Do post the website info here. Sure there's a number of us that would like to have a look. If you've been taking part in the Thursday evening series this year then we've probably been racing against each other

I'm one of only two "ex-pats" on the boat (ie. Not from Poole!) so don't tend to do the series down there. I have guested on Panache, Kudos and a few others when I've been around however.

The website is registered but the developer (and our bowman) seems to be taking his time sorting it out. In the meantime I think we will be posting updates on www.flairIV.com

Cowes Week was entertaining for a number of reasons, one was that the rig was only stepped two days before (gulp), the handicap spread in the class was 100 points (another gulp!) and we were one of the slowest rated and most importantly only six of the regulars crewed it. To come 10th and only be beaten by bigger boats (and bigger chequebooks) was ok!

Dartmouth was great, again only beaten by a J133 that rates about 50 points higher and with 4 wins from 7 races we must have been ok. Also won the team prize for Poole with Panache (Elan 333) and Kudos (Elan 31) so a good result for Elan and Poole then!!!!

Since then we've won our class at Little Britain so that was good, beating all the IMX 40s, X35s and all the boats that we will usually compete against. We learnt a lot about how to make an 8 tonne boat with non-overlappers go in light winds so feel really good about Hamble and Warsash.

Some good results there LostBoy. Last regatta I was involved with was the J24 Europeans last year and had a pretty poor overall result. That said we'd not been sailing together that much the previous year so were all a little out of practice On the positive side we did improve as the week went on and even been some of the really good teams on one day.

Bassboy: shall we meet for a pint of 49er down the club sometime then? I think the general idea of a cruise in company is a good one. Gladly I'll send greetings to Winston - but who shall I say is sending them